What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
denial
Example
He was in denial about his addiction and refused to seek help. [denial: noun]
Example
She denied stealing the money, claiming she was innocent. [denied: verb]
disavowal
Example
The politician issued a disavowal of the controversial statement made by his party member. [disavowal: noun]
Example
He disavowed his former extremist views and became a moderate activist. [disavowed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Denial is more commonly used in everyday language, while disavowal is more formal and less common.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between denial and disavowal?
Disavowal is more formal than denial and is often used in legal or official contexts, while denial can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
